Can you add a light to a digital camcorder that does not have a hotshoe?

Question

Can you add a light to a digital camcorder that does not have a hotshoe?

Answer 1

Yes.

There are video lights that are self-contained - that is, they have their own batteries. Sometimes the batteries are sealed in the lighting unit and the whole thing needs to be recharged; others have removeable batteries so when those run out of power, you just take them out and  pop some fresh ones in.

The cheap video light (less than $50) batteries typically don't last very long (20 minutes or less). There are some that use LEDs instead of incandescent bulbs, so their batteries last longer.

And you could always go pro-grade and wear a battery belt. (NRG Research and Bescor are a good place to start researching these.)

A related issue is that many new consumer-grade camcorders have no accessory shoe at all. The resolution is to get a "camera bracket" that uses the tripod mounting s***w hole in the bottom of the camera. These brackets have different configurations and manufacturers. I have found a simple angled camera bracket for less than $15 with two accessory shes works well - one for the video light, the other for an external mic.